The Learning Experience in Buda raises $5,196 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Buda raised $5,196 during April’s annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied early childhood education to philanthropy by teaching children about kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into a lesson in empathy and service. - The $5,196 raised will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood programs can connect classroom learning to real-world community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Buda took part in the center’s annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff raised $5,196 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Center leaders Ana Cristina Barroso, Leonardo Taves, Stephanie Conese, Felicia Gonzalez and Adrianna Besa guided the activities. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, were part of the campaign. - The Learning Experience said the effort reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and the communities it serves. - The Let’s Grant Wishes campaign is part of the company’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The company said children learn that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as brand-building for The Learning Experience by tying the preschool experience to service and character education. - The campaign also gives families a visible way to participate in philanthropy alongside their children. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to go beyond academic basics and create meaningful community impact while inspiring future philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience will continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising efforts at centers nationwide. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The company says the campaign will remain part of its broader early childhood education and philanthropy mission.

The bottom line: - In Buda, a preschool fundraiser became both a community donation drive and an early lesson in giving back.